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The World's Most Inspiring Women You've Never Heard of, Until Now

When it comes to celebrating inspirational women, the same well-known names tend to dominate the list. Don’t get us wrong—we’ll always have time to hear what Arianna Huffington and Whitney Wolfe have to say, but sometimes it’s refreshing to cast a wider net and discover lesser-known stories. Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2016 shines the spotlight on women leading the charge across a number of fields. Click through for the world’s most awe-inspiring women you need to know now.

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The World's Most Inspiring Women You've Never Heard of, Until Now

The Military Commander

Who: Gen. Lori Robinson, commander of the Pacific Air Forces

Why: Gen. Robinson is set to be President Obama’s nomination for the next head of the U.S. Northern Command (i.e., she’ll be in charge of all military in North America). If confirmed by the Senate, she’ll be the first woman to lead the U.S. combatant command.

The Olympian

Who: Ibtihaj Muhammad, American Muslim Olympic athlete

Why: Muhammad is the first Muslim woman who observes hijab to qualify for the U.S. Olympic fencing team. The politically outspoken athlete has taken a stand against anti-Muslim rhetoric, and her appearance at the upcoming games wearing hijab is seen as momentous for American Muslims.

The Fashion Designer

Who: Guo Pei, China’s first haute couture fashion designer

Why: While considered one of China’s biggest fashion designers, Pei only debuted at Paris Fashion Week in January 2016. Her designs call on memories from her childhood during the Cultural Revolution. She is best known in the West for designing Rihanna’s yellow gown for the 2015 Met Gala.

The Oncologists

Why: Dr. Esserman and Dr. Hwang are leading medical research that could transform the way breast cancer is treated for thousands of women. The duo is working toward a personalized and less invasive approach that could prevent needless mastectomies.

The University President

Who: Diana Natalicio, president of the University of Texas at El Paso

Why: During her three decades as president, Natalicio has transformed UTEP from a community school into a major public research university, with a student body that consists of over 80% Mexican-Americans. According to Time, she’s a “major thought leader in the best ways to help low-income, first-generation students succeed in college.”